figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out

transitive verb

1

: discover, determine

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve, fathom

figure out a problem

Synonyms of figure out

• solve
• answer
• unravel
• resolve

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, as a gel, the researchers had to figure out how to transform it into a liquid. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

There’s also the question of whether people will rely on AI too much, and how to draw boundaries when figuring out which tasks to outsource to AI. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

In this gripping true narrative, historian Matt O’Hara introduces us to the opportunists, adventurers, and chancers who raced both to find curare and figure out a way to make money off it. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

After their decisive vote scuttled Johnson’s initial spending plan, the mayor and aldermen must now figure out how to make the city’s budget pencil out. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for figure out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

figure out

verb

1

: find out, discover

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve

figure out a problem